The Green Bay Packers decided to say goodbye to veteran wideout Sammy Watkins despite their lack of depth at the position. The Packers released Watkins on Monday and signed running back Patrick Taylor to the active roster in a corresponding move.
Watkins, who came to Green Bay in the offseason, had 13 receptions for 206 yards in 2022. He played only nine games, spending time on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
The Packers releasing Watkins comes as a surprise, but it appears that the 29-year-old player became an odd man out after the rest of the WR corps returned to health. Rookie Romeo Dubs is expected to return to the field this week, while this year’s second-round pick Christian Watson is playing spectacular football following injury issues of his own earlier in the campaign. The Packers’ two veteran wideouts, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are also healthy and ready to go.
Sammy Watkins was once an elite WR talent out of Clemson, who was selected fourth overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2014. He delivered on the promise early on, combining for 125 catches, 2,029 yards, and 15 touchdowns in his first two years as a pro. However, it was all down for Watkins after that.
Watkins missed eight games in his third season due to a foot injury and has struggled to stay healthy ever since. He never played a full season of football again while becoming a journeyman that also suited up for the Los Angeles Rams, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Baltimore Ravens. The Florida native did win a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs in 2019, delivering 14 catches for 288 and a TD during the postseason.
